This is my very own version of the Taj Matent based upon the fantastical creation by the lovely Debi. The name is Cindy's brilliant characterization for Debi's 'sleeping quarters' for the 'camp out' during last Barn House show. If you read my blog with regularity you may remember that our patio roof collapsed on Christmas Eve last year after ice and snow became too much for it to hold. We remain roofless at this point and as we have been having record heat this month i decided i needed to innovate. The vision created with tablecloths and old curtains is quite lovely i think.
Since it has been so very steamy here in our usually cool Northwest i have been watering Avalon pretty much non-stop in order to keep the haven a haven and not a desert.
And while i have been pushing sprinklers and pulling hoses around Joe has been preparing his canoe for a weekend away for fishing and boating. Believe me he deserves a break for some summer fun. He has been working pretty much non-stop since my Dad got sick in May, working on home projects, doing helpful things for my family, volunteering his gardening skills for friends as well as faithfully working at his day job.
On Sunday as nightfall began in earnest i walked through the garden with my camera and watched for opportunities to capture an ephemeral moment of beauty in each little ecosystem of Avalon. The blue background of this photo was due to the alchemy of water and the blue toned light of dusk. There wasn't a blue object or flower in sight. If you look closely you will see there is a backdrop of spraying water surrounding the scene that shows as white streaks. Cameras do sometimes show us magic that with our eyes we may never see.
A frequent pastime of summer is following around the various winged visitors to Avalon trying to take their portrait. The fat bumblebees are all over the Agapanthus and it being later in the evening they seemed to be as lazy with the heat as i was.
I captured this rare photo of my twin (Robin-Bird... get it?) through the screen of my kitchen window. I'm not sure if it was the screen or the radiant light that caused the diamonds of water to sparkle so but no matter because when magic presents itself i regard it as my reward for believing.
What night magic have you captured with your camera of late?
Love, robin
Oh, I've been hear to this post three times now looking for the words to tell you how very perfect these words and images are. That is the best sunflower photograph I've ever seen. And, yes, that image came because of the magic you carry in your pocket. Well, really, on a strap around your neck.
Posted by: Relyn | August 03, 2009 at 06:34 PM
Oh WOW~ You captured some wonderful shots. But nothing nicer than the thought of your Joe, being kind and loving and helping his Robin thought life right now!
Please tell him I hope he had~has a great canoeing journey!
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | August 03, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Hi Robin! Everything looks so beautiful at your place! It's nice to hear someone else has been fighting with the hoses. I don't think I could get a photo without a hose in it here! One thing we did cut out on watering this year was the grass...Joe wants to dig it all out and replace it with gravel to eliminate mowing and watering. lol
Posted by: Barn House | August 01, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Beautiful. I've kinda been lax on photographing. I don't know what happened! I need to get my butt in gear!!!
Posted by: Rosa | August 01, 2009 at 10:15 AM
sunflower shot is amazing! wow!
Posted by: Se'Lah | August 01, 2009 at 05:00 AM
Gorgeous! You've created a special getaway right in your own backyard, Robin. You have me wanting to build a taj matent on my balcony...thank YOU for the romantic idea!
Posted by: susanna | July 31, 2009 at 06:55 PM
now if you could only jump in the birdbath with your twin! i hope you're surviving the heat. :) i need to reply to your email, i have been avoiding the computer to stay cool. ;)
that photo of the flower with the blue background. i have no words for how lovely it is :)
an inflatable canoe! i love it! (i've thought about an inflatable kayak but am not sure if dog toes would cut it - not that atlas would get in it, but a girl can dream ;) I hope Joe has fun!
Posted by: elizabeth | July 31, 2009 at 08:08 AM
I'll need now to go out and capture some night magic...although here our weather has been overcast and not cooperative with the golden light dusk usually brings.
Your photo of the bird bathing is amazing.xo
Posted by: indigo | July 31, 2009 at 07:53 AM
Enchantment all around! The Agapanthus shot ...mmm...MY FAVORITE! It reminds me of the flowerbeds of agapanthus near my parents home...hundreds of them, gigantic.. You could almost get lost in there :)
Posted by: Isabel | July 30, 2009 at 01:24 PM
Great photos all. I love the blue that was not there :-).
I captured some rain the other day, but magic, not so much lately, but I never give up :-). Stay cool!
Posted by: Annie | July 30, 2009 at 06:46 AM
so lucky that you are having hot weather. what i wouldn't give for a few sunny days. we have had record rain. ducks are drowning. beautiful photos. as per usual.
Posted by: margie | July 30, 2009 at 01:32 AM
I love the sunflower photo Robin. It almost appears like it is shaking off the water from its run in with a sprinkler.
Posted by: Charlotte | July 29, 2009 at 07:31 PM
I love the photograph of the Robin in the bird bath. Your photos are always uplifting Robin. Summer is just getting here to New England... very late this year. Hope your summer is going well.
Tom
Posted by: Tom Sheehan | July 29, 2009 at 07:19 PM
Hello Robin; Such beauty in your back yard... I loved how you captured the the Robin in the bath,,, so perfect.. and your flower close up,,, gosh what a eye you have for Photo's thank you for sharing your beautiful back yard, and what a great idea for your patio love it... love it all..
Hugs;
Alaura
Posted by: Alauar Parrish | July 29, 2009 at 05:12 PM
Your images have transported me to an enchanted garden... thank you so much for sharing your vision with us, it has truly been magical
:-)
Well-wishes,
Me
Posted by: PixieDust | July 29, 2009 at 03:58 PM
What a fantastic collection of hot summer time images. Love the light..and especially the water droplets!
Posted by: Marcie | July 29, 2009 at 09:21 AM
What beautiful images you have shared with us. So serene.
I have enjoyed all the fireflies in the evening. It seems like my
whole yard is a light show, each evening. : )
xo
Posted by: Christina | July 29, 2009 at 06:26 AM
Gorgeous images, Robin. We've been having unusually hot weather in Paris as well. xo
Posted by: Paris Parfait | July 29, 2009 at 01:55 AM
oh wow such beauty surrounds you there at Avalon. pure magic in every image here. I would love to spend some time in your Taj Matent
Posted by: spread your wings | July 28, 2009 at 05:03 PM
Thank You for the nice blog comment. The
Daylily is gorgeous & your Robin certainly has the right idea during such a hot spell.
Blessings to Avalon, Erin
Posted by: Erin Hollister Grover | July 28, 2009 at 04:49 PM
Robin,
We met very briefly at the Barn House - I believe you took a picture of my two girls with their crinolines! I love your photos and am wondering what lense you like to use on a regular basis. I am just a budding photographer and trying to figure out the whole lense thing - t hanks!!
Posted by: Leigh Anne Wilkes | July 28, 2009 at 04:26 PM
your taj matent looks so inviting. I can imagine spending balmy summer nights within it.
Yo have a beautiful garden, I think the robin thinks so too. He seems to be enjoying himself in your birdbath. (This is my favourite shot)
I went out with my camera and captured the magic of my city.
Posted by: Liss | July 28, 2009 at 02:15 PM
the light in all of the images show such a calm and oasis feel to them, I am loving the blue in them...blessings ~elk
Posted by: elk | July 28, 2009 at 12:03 PM
What beauty you surround yourself with. And what wonderful photos. They are all gorgeous. And that patio image!! Oh my. LOVE it!
Posted by: debi | July 28, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Beautiful pics and stories behind them. I've come to expect nothing less from you. I save your blog for last...like the grand finale, so I can take time to read each and every word.
~Jennifer
Posted by: Barking Dogs | July 28, 2009 at 10:02 AM